Tomb of the Mask

Tomb of the Mask is a indie game released in 2016 for iOS, June 18, 2018 for Android, and October 27, 2021, for Nintendo Switch. A version for Apple Arcade, Tomb of the Mask+, was released in June 2024. It is an arcade-style puzzle game, divided into levels. The player moves the masked character through the obstacle-strewn areas to the exit, collecting coins along the way.

Tomb of the Mask received positive reviews, with Tom's Guide ranking it in their Top 25 underrated iPhone games, and CNET's Best mobile games. The success of Tomb of the Mask sparked a port for the Nintendo Switch, released in 2021. Multiple tips and tricks have been released for the game.

Gameplay
Tomb of the Mask is a fast-paced endless runner video game with gameplay in the style of Pac-Man. The player moves the character through a maze by swiping the screen in the four directions. The character cannot change direction until stopped by a wall or obstacle.

The player races an encroaching tide, which rises from the bottom of the screen and ends the game upon reaching the player. Like Pac-Man, the character earns points for collecting dots and coins in its path.

The player may be also collect power-ups that grant temporary benefits, such as a magnet that attracts coins to the character, and a freeze that solidifies enemies in place. The player can use collected coins to buy permanent perks and increase power-up potency.

The player can be able to choose 16 total masks in the game the player can buy with in-game currency. However, the player can buy coins with real world money. Buying in-game coins in the Nintendo Switch version is absent because the Nintendo Switch version is only available digitally for 9.99.

To control the player in Tomb of the Mask, the player need to swipe the screen in the direction the player wants to move at. For example, if the player swipe Left, the character will move left. In the Nintendo Switch version, the player can use the joy-stick, or d-pad to move the character. The mazes in Tomb of the Mask has a lot of hazards to avoid. For example, the Spikes, Spike traps, and Pufferfish.

Since the 1.2 update in late 2016, the Stage Mode has been added. The difference between Arcade mode and Stage mode, is that unlike an endless arcade level, it is a stage where the player must complete a stage level, and then the stage move on, similarly to Super Mario Bros.

Arcade Mode is an endless stage with a much of hazards including rising Lava. It features an online leaderboard in Google Play Games and Apple Arcade.

Reception
Jon Reisinger from Tom's Guide ranked Tomb of the Mask in their Top 25 underrated iPhone games. Eli Hodapp from TouchArcade ranked Tomb of the Mask in their Top 100 Best Mobile games of 2016. Craig Grannell from Stuff.tv ranked Tomb of the Mask as "App of the week"

Many video game news reporters compared Tomb of the Mask to Pac-Man. Many compared the fact the player collect dots (coins for Tomb of the Mask) and the maze style between the 2 games, and the retro style for Tomb of the Mask.

Reviewers appreciated the game's aesthetic and fast pace. Alysia Judge from Pocket Gamer compared its gameplay mechanics with Pac-Man and its visual style with Downwell. Gamezebo (Jim Squires) wrote that the game was accessible despite its fast pace.